About Us

• What We Do
• Our Vision, Mission & Values
• Our Aims
• How We Are Funded
• Benefactors and Supporters
• Our Board
• Our Staff
• Our Volunteers
• History
• Annual Report
• Contact Us

I joined the Eating Disorders Victoria team in March 2007. I’m English in origin but have lived in Australia since the early 1990s. I’m married, with a very supportive partner, two beautiful children - a girl in middle school and a boy in primary school - and a daft but loveable dog. My work-family life balance is very important to me, and I work flexible hours to allow me to meet my children from school each day and to be involved with them in their after-school activities.

I originally worked as a management consultant for a number of years, but after having my first baby I decided to change career tack to a more family-friendly environment, and took up a part-time managerial position with a volunteer-based, not-for-profit association working in the community health area. I discovered that I was motivated and inspired by the work and passion of the volunteers for their cause, and by working for not-for-profits in general. I made a personal commitment to remain working in the not-for-profit sector from then on, which I have kept for the past 10 years.

When I saw the advertisement for this position within EDV, something in me knew that this was the right place for me to be, and I’m glad to say that the Board of Directors agreed. I started my work with EDV in March 2007; I’m thrilled to have joined such a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, and to be involved in such an important area of health promotion.

My role here is essentially to ensure that EDV achieves its vision and mission. I provide support and advice to the Board of Directors; coordinate and support the EDFV staff team; liaise with our volunteers; manage our financial and non-financial resources; represent EDV in meetings with external agencies (which range from government advisory committees to local community forums); and do my best to ensure that all EDV services are of the highest quality and meet the needs of people with eating disorders and their families.

With a degree in Applied Science (Human Movement) and further studies in Science Nutrition, I bring my educational background, first hand experience of living with a mental illness and passion of helping others.

I have been a part of the team since March 2005. My role has changed over time with my current main responsibilities being to coordinate and support a large team of volunteers who directly respond to telephone, email, face to face & MessageBoard enquiries, website management & looking after our information resources & statistics.

Working at Eating Disorders Victoria has been a learning experience where I have gained further understanding, knowledge and insight into the lives of those affected by eating disorders. This is also a rewarding experience when we make a positive difference in someone's day.

I am passionate about helping people and contributing to the growth and development of an important non-profit organisation such as EDV, so that it can continue to make a difference in the lives of those affected by eating disorders.

I first started volunteering with EDV as a Helpline Support Worker in 2004. I had always been interested in the area of eating disorders and was studying psychology at university and thought it would be a good opportunity to gain some experience.

My first shift on the Helpline, when I actually took a call was a memorable one. I was very nervous, but the feeling I experienced when the person on the other end thanked me and said I was a great help was overwhelming. It felt extremely rewarding to help someone who was going through a difficult time.

After volunteering as a Chat Room Moderator for over a year, I am now the Chat Room Cordinator.

Although the forum is very different I still enjoy it. The ChatRoom can at times be quite light hearted compared to the helpline as the regular users have become friends. The thing I love the most about the ChatRoom is that the regular users not only log in when they need support, but they come even when they are going strong to support the other users, and I feel privileged to be able to witness such acts of support and compassion among those who use the service.

The essence of EDV is to support those experiencing an eating disorder, whether they are a sufferer or a carer. I love being a part of the organisation, and will continue to be for as long as possible.

My commitment to the role of Family Support Officer has grown over the past two and half years. Providing family members, friends and partners with support, information and education is one of my passions. Working with families inspires me to building links with service providers, public and private, to ensure family members are considered as an integral part of the recovery process. Part of providing support includes the development of workshops and establishment of support groups all of which enables me to use my community development degree and counselling skills.

I've lived on the Mornington Peninsula all my life, so I’m a Victorian girl through and through. My four children – the pride of my life so far – are grown up and making their own ways in the world, and I am the proud grandmother of 2 grandsons. My husband and I are currently living in Seaford while we build our new home at Marriott Waters. My interests are sewing (patchwork - not clothes), craft design and home decorating.

I was an at-home mum for 16 years during which time I also studied at Bible College, receiving my minister’s credential in 1996. Being a pastor of a small church I was “management and staff”! I did a course on administration studies and taught myself the computer when the first PCs became available. Leaving the church in 2002, I worked in administration for a not-for-profit health organisation and so began my interest in health and membership organisations.

I joined Eating Disorders Victoria in August 2007. I enjoy coming to work every day as I find myself encouraged by the commitment of the staff to helping people with eating disorders and their carers and friends. I am overwhelmed by the commitment of our volunteers at EDV – people who eagerly give up four hours or more of their busy week to help others – their dedication is quite amazing!

My role here is to provide support to our Executive Officer, Kirsty; offer assistance to the other EDV staff and volunteers, and to meet and greet all those who visit the office, among my other administrative duties.

I joined Eating Disorders Victoria in November 2007 and love being part of such a dedicated and passionate team. Before joining EDV, I spent 12 years in a variety of corporate communications roles spanning a wide range of industries such as telecommunications, beverage, insurance and IT. I am very excited to turn my focus towards the not-for-profit sector and in particular, eating disorders and body image.

I was struck by the passion of the people at EDV from the moment I walked through the door and find the ‘vibe’ of a volunteer based organisation so contagious. I am thrilled to be part of the team and hope I can use my position as the Communications Officer to raise the profile of EDV, eating disorders and positive body image throughout the community.

I have a young family and feel really passionate about promoting positive body image amongst school aged children so they can grow into confident young adults with a healthy body image.

I started with Eating Disorders Victoria in March 2008 as part of a public relations internship. My role within the organisation expanded very quickly and I now work within my capacity as Information Officer, which focuses largely on website development and maintenance. I also work part time for the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) in conjunction with my work for EDV. 

Following my graduation from Queensland University of Technology in 2006, I experimented briefly in the arena of corporate PR, however it was soon clear to me this path was not mine. Working in non-profit may be less glamorous and lucrative, but what you lack in such areas you make up for in heart and soul, and that seems like a fair trade to me!

I see the recovery experience as a magnificent opportunity for people to explore the very essence of their being, and in return gain a deep level of understanding and appreciation of self they may not have otherwise reached. I feel very fortunate to be part of a workplace that genuinely helps people improve their lives on a very profound level. In my job I am surrounded by an incredible level of commitment, both in the families and people with an eating disorder toward recovery, as well as the commitment and passion of each and every person on staff who are - in their own way - making this world a slightly better place.

After completing my studies as a counsellor in September 2005, I joined Eating Disorders Victoria as a volunteer on the Helpline and as an active member of speakers bank. During my 2 years as a volunteer I had so many invaluable experiences, both personally and professionally. In this time and since, I have extensively broadened my knowledge, not only on eating disorders, but on the importance and growing need for support and resources, relationship dynamics and its effects on recovery, related mental health issues, and the need for awareness in our community.

The role of Recovery Support Officer was developed in October 2007. I was fortunate enough to obtain this role and feel a great passion for what I do at EDV. My role is to assist and support people recovering from an eating disorder. This includes individual appointments, either face to face or by phone, hospital visiting programs and maintaining and expanding our support groups throughout Victoria.

The greatest reward is watching restoration of hope and determination in a person’s eyes when they decide for themselves that recovery is worth fighting for.

I am a Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years experience working in the area of eating disorders and body image. I began working as the education officer at EDV in 2009. As an academic at Swinburne University I trained students in professional psychology, conducted research and supervised the Mindful Moderate Eating Group at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic. More recently I talk to teachers, the fitness industry, other health professionals, the community and anyone who will listen about preventing, recognising, intervening and supporting people with eating problems and body image concerns. 

I live with 3 boys, one ‘grown up’ and two 20 ‘somethings’, so when I’m not working at EDV I’m being treated like a princess. Working at EDV I realise how many people are suffering with eating and body image issues and feel that they are not valued for being themselves. 

Last Updated: February 2009